Froth flotation method for recovering metal values

Abstract

A froth flotation method for recovering native silver and copper, and metallic ores selected from the group of silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, and chromium, by applying commercial quaternary bases or their salts in conjunction with perchloric acid to obtain pure concentrates of said metal values, which comprises; adding to a water suspension of finely divided ore of quaternary ammonium type collectors of commercial origin, and an adequate amount of perchloric acid, which acting in conjunction activate and levitate in the froth by usual froth flotation process the metal values of silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, and chromium.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In concentrating by froth flotation of native silver and native copper, silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, and chromium ores, which includes subjecting a finely ground aqueous dispersion of said ores to froth flotation process in the presence of commercial quaternary ammonium chlorides or bases derived from them, selected from the group consisting of tricaprylylmethyl ammonium chloride, or didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, or methyltridecyl ammonium chloride and in the presence of perchloric acid, which acting in conjunction therewith form complexes at the surfaces of said mineral ores; the step of adding to said dispersion an amount of the order from 0.01 to 0.1 kg per ton of ore treated with said quaternary ammonium chlorides, and an amount of the order from 0.01 to 0.1 kg per ton of ore treated with perchloric acid, said aqueous dispersion of ore produces a float product of mineral values by continuing agitation and aeration of the aqueous dispersion, and separating and recovering the mineral values as float concentrate products.